THE theft of eight marble fireplaces has sparked a debate over the future of one of Glossop's oldest buildings.

Easton House, off High Street East dates from at the 1820s and was once owned by Lord Doverdale. It includes stables and a pond, but has fallen into disrepair and recently the Victorian fireplaces were stolen from the building.

High Peak Council, which owns the ex-mansion, envisages business units occupying the building in future. However, Glossopdale councillors and residents are less keen on that option, preferring its use as a hotel, visitor centre or art gallery instead.

Glossop Vision board member Wendy Beasley said: "It's a very historic house and I think as an hotel it would prove extremely useful. We are short of hotel accommodation in Glossop, even though we are often spoken of as the gateway to the Peak District."

Councillor Ivan Bell toured Easton House with councillors and Vision Board members and made an amazing discovery in the cellar. "We saw a winding mechanism which enabled three 10ft by 5ft mirrors to rise up into the old ballroom, covering the windows there and making the whole room look bigger.

"It's an extremely interesting building which should be brought back for community use."

Wendy wonders why there are no photographs available of the fireplaces, even though she claims the council undertook a £25,000 survey of the building. She also doubts the low value put on the fireplaces by the council and queries why the alarms did not seem to be working at the time of the theft. She also wonders why Easton House is not listed, unlike nearby Howard Town House.

A High Peak Council spokeswoman said: "The council is finalising the issue of liability for the state of repair of the building with the former lessees. When this is completed, councillors will be making a decision on the future of the building.

"As far as insurance is concerned, the matter of the fireplaces is still being considered and the future use of the building will be material to a claim."